Etiquette for sharing sitters?

[Anonymous]

Is there an etiquette when it comes to sharing contact information of a sitter with a friend? Specifically, a small group of us get together every month, and my friend contacted the sitter whose name I shared with her for this event. I feel a bit miffed because she’s my next door neighbor and now I feel like every time we have a get-together, we will be competing for her. Initially, I gave her information to my friend because she needed help for something specific one day a week. I guess it’s time to expand my repertoire! Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Sorry, I should clarify: I shared the name of this sitter in reference to something else, and now I reached out to her for a get-together with a small group of friends, and my friend already swiped her.

[Anonymous]

What your neighbor or friend did is fine. You gave her the name of a sitter. She needed a sitter. She called the sitter.

If possible, why not see if the sitter can watch all the kids for the group event? If you'd normally pay $20 an hour, give the sitter $30 an hour for all the kids, and you each save $5 an hour.

[Anonymous]

Certain things you never tell and the name a d number if your sitter is No.1.

[Anonymous]

You should probably explain to both the neighbor and the sitter that the sitter BELONGS to you. That will clear things up for them.

[Anonymous]

A family I occasionally baby sat for shared my number with a friend. They would ALWAYS text me for the same night, but one would text first. I would charge $16/h and then I suggested I could watch both their kids for $30/h. Worked out well when they went to the same events! Once I even had 3 kids and charged $45/h. We usually have a group chat to make arrangements. When they don’t need me the same night, we just text one on one. However, I suggest finding at least 2 more Sitter’s to choose from.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should probably explain to both the neighbor and the sitter that the sitter BELONGS to you. That will clear things up for them.

She doesn’t belong to ANYONE, except herself. She’s not property or an object. Now op knows not to share sitter info if the she doesn’t want to compete for her.

[Anonymous]

I guess this is the downfall (that many people do not consider!) when one family recommends their babysitter to another family.

It’s something to consider when doing so.

[Anonymous]

As a nanny I don't mind if my name is shared, as long as the families don't mind that I might end up preferring working dates for one over the other for whatever reason. I do think it's a good idea to have at least 3-4 people you can call, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a nanny I don't mind if my name is shared, as long as the families don't mind that I might end up preferring working dates for one over the other for whatever reason. I do think it's a good idea to have at least 3-4 people you can call, though.

Yes I agree. Most families I know have anywhere from 2-6 sitters they can call. I began preferring one family over another and it kinda sucks. I felt bad for the other family so now if they ask to share my number I usually say yes but they have to keep in mind that they might need me the same night.

[Anonymous]

Just make sure you pay her more. Simple.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just make sure you pay her more. Simple.

Well her brother is coming in her stead so we’ll spoil him good.